Your question could be answered in various ways depending upon how one interprets it. We use GM seeds for growing both corn and soybeans here on our farm. The benefits of biotech seeds include the reality that we now are using less pesticides and other chemicals on our crops, as well as the fact that it allows us to use less tillage (break-up) of the soil. This means less land erosion, a very good plus for the environment.

In my opinion, the biggest problem with the seeds is the amount of misinformation that is being circulated out there. GMOs have a public image problem. The science-based reality proving GMOs to be safe and nutritious takes a backseat to the emotional propaganda meant to create skepticism in the mind of the consumer.

The National Academy of Sciences, the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, the American Dietetic Association, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, among many other reputable institutes and organizations find GMOs to be as safe and nutritious as foods produced in any other way.

People unassociated with farming may have the impression that farmers no longer have a choice in terms of the seeds that they buy for crop planting. This is not the case. There are options; there are many seed companies, from which to purchase the supply. We choose the seeds we use based upon many factors, top of which would be performance (higher yields with lesser use of other inputs, like pesticides).

Response from: Community Manager, Moderator for GMOAnswers.com • on November 20, 2017

While we cannot answer and speak to that specific situation, below is some information we think you might find helpful. There are a couple ways to genetically modify plants. This response explains the different ways plants are modified to produce a GMO. Kevin Folta, Interim Chair and Associate Professor in the Horticultural Sciences Department at University of Florida, also created a video in this response that explains the difference between GMO cross breeding and cross pollination.
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About the Expert

Growing up in Chicago, Mary knew very little about agriculture and food production. As a consumer in an urban setting, there weren't many opportunities granted for dialoging with farmers. That is until she met and married one in 1986. Moving from skyscrapers to silos wasn't an easy transition. But now, after raising a family and living on a grain and livestock farm for 27 years, her roots...